HONG KONG—The opening matches of the 2014-15 season of the China Ice Hockey League (CIHL) took place on Saturday evening Oct 4 (8pm until 11pm) at Mega Ice, Kowloon Bay, where action packed matches showed quality hockey by local and overseas players.
A ceremonial puck drop prior to the first game kicked off the season attended by sponsors and elite guests including J. Ian Burchett the Canadian Consul General for Hong Kong and Macau.
There are only four teams in the league, but intense rivalry exists between the teams as they are all eager to win the league title. In this opening night of the season South China Sharks overcame the Hong Kong Tycoons 4-1 and in the second match The Kowloon Warriors dominated the Macau Aces to win 5-0. There was some sparkling play particularly by the Warriors who notched up their first win of the season in a fast and furious match. Many of the players were feeling the pace and were pleased to get a break to recover after the second of the three 12 minute sessions.
3-Star awards were made to King Ho, Sean Ellison and Pat Waller after the first match and after the second match awards were made to Andy Ramsay and Greg Smyth who scored 2 goals each and to Warrior’s goalie, Loron Orris who did a great job in keeping a clean sheet.
The Disney Shootout between youngsters was held as usual between the two matches.
All of the teams are just easing into the season and new teams need to gel so although the Sharks and Warriors achieved victory this week it will need a few weeks of competition to get a real view of the longer term winners.
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